Traditionally, baseball is played with a five-man starting pitching rotation. Every starter takes the mound as per order every five days to produce a 5+ innings start. However, dynamics have changed in the modern age, which has given rise to new trends. And the New York Yankees want to evolve with the same trend.
In the 2023 season, the New York Yankees struggled to keep their starting rotation in order due to injury woes. Thus, they promoted Michael King into the starter’s role out of desperation. King pitched 4-5 innings max as he wasn’t stretched out. But left a profound impact in a limited appearance. Considering King’s success, the Yanks are planning to adopt a new trend in 2024.
Matt Blake Says Yankees In Favor Of Unorthodox Reliever/Starter Hybrid Trend!
Ahead of the crucial 2024 MLB season, the New York Yankees are mulling to adopt a change in pitching approach. While talking to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, pitching coach Matt Blake said MLB will witness a surge in reliever/starter hybrid trend in the future as it is more efficient than the traditional rotational approach. The hybrid trend involves deploying pitchers in roles that transcend the traditional starter or reliever labels. Rather than strictly adhering to a pitch count or inning limit for starters, the Yanks are exploring the idea of leveraging their bullpen arms alongside traditional starters. This approach aims to keep opposing hitters off balance and disrupt the rhythm of the game. And optimize matchups based on situational advantages.
“A few teams basically ran two-, three-man rotations last year with a bunch of flex guys picking up the innings in different fashions,” said Matt Blake. The Yankees ran a four-man rotation toward the last stretch after Nestor Cortes was shut down due to a shoulder injury. They used reliever Michael King instead, and the move produced wonders. While the reliability of the new trend is debatable, the Yanks seem to back it wholeheartedly. It also comes from the fact that the hybrid trend worked for them in the first place. Thus, the pitching coach wants to gamble again in 2024 to see if it sustains throughout the season. Nonetheless, the inclination towards a hybrid pitching trend won’t stop the front office from pursuing high-end starters in free agency.
Bronx Bombers Shortlists Pitching Targets For This Off-Season!
Irrespective of the pitching trends the New York Yankees want to adopt in the 2024 season, nothing is plausible without reinforcements. As per early market trends, the Bronx Bombers shortlisted Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Jordan Montgomery, and Frankie Montas as potential targets of upcoming free agency. Going after Yamamoto is a no-brainer move.
Further, the Yankees want to seek a reunion with Jordan Montgomery. He displayed signs of life in the postseason with the Texas Rangers this year. Jordan was traded to the Cardinals in 2022 and has recorded nothing but success since then. Frankie Montas, on the other hand, impressed Aaron Boone with a miraculous comeback towards the last stretch despite being initially ruled out due to surgery. The front office wants to extend the trade bust’s stay in the Bronx for a couple of more years.